The Life of Thomas Jefferson
By B.L. Rayner
Published in 1832 The Life of Thomas Jefferson was written
by B.L. Rayner six years after Jefferson's death. As the author
notes in the preface of his book, "the materials for this volume
are principally derived from the posthumous works of Mr. Jefferson
himself."
Rayner describes Jefferson's voluminous letters and essays
written over fifty years as "the richest auto-biographical deposit·.ever
presented to the world." He also notes that "the historical
and biographical portions" of his book are based on "this pregnant
source."
The author concludes by recommending that "the character of
Thomas Jefferson should be held up to all succeeding generations
of American people as the model on which they should habitually
fix their eyes, and fashion their own characters and principles."
In 14 chapters Jefferson's unparalleled career is chronicled--
his early childhood at Shadwell, Justice of the Peace, Governor,
member of Congress, Minister to France, author of the Declaration
of Independence, founder of the University of Virginia, author
of the Virginia statute for religious freedom, Secretary of
State, Vice-President and President.
|
